Earths Energy Balance

We are Sun Powered

Earth is warmed by the sun
Exception: geothermal energy
The Sun adds 342 Watts of energy per
square meter of earth every year
Energy from the sun radiates through
space as electromagnetic waves
Image source: science. NASA.gov
The Suns Rays Dont Heat Earth
Evenly
Image source: earthobservatory.NASA.gov
The Earth is not Warmed Evenly
Areas near the equator receive more
sunlight
Sunlight received near poles is not as
strong
Tilt of Earth Causes Seasons
Uneven heating of Earth
is why we have seasons
Always warm at equator
because sun is nearly
directly overhead
Big variation in temps
at poles because angle
of sunlight varies
greatly over the year
These variations in
heating drive Earths
climate and weather
Image source: www.windows.ucar.edu
Your Latitude determines your
Solar Energy
Image source: earthobservatory.NASA.gov
Overheating?
If Earth is receiving so
much solar energy,
why arent we
heating up like an
oven?
Theres a Balance!
Some solar radiation is
reflected/absorbed by
atmosphere before it
reaches Earth.
Solar radiation (short
wavelength) warms the
earth. Earth radiates
some of that energy (long
wavelength) back
towards space.
Incoming energy must
equal outgoing energy to
keep things in balance.
Image source: esrl.NOAA.gov
Of Course, Its a Bit More
Complex
If the radiation emitted by Earth just
escaped back into space, Earths
surface would be very, very COLD!
The atmosphere is absorbing some of
that radiation and keeping Earth
comfortably warm. This is the
Greenhouse Effect (see Greenhouse Effect.ppt )
Image source: earthobservatory.NASA.gov
Incoming solar radiation is reflected
Image source: NASAs Earth Observatory
Incoming solar radiation is reflected
Or absorbed
Image source: NASAs Earth Observatory
Solar radiation absorbed by earth is convected,
evaporated and re-radiated back to atmosphere
Image source: NASAs Earth Observatory
The Greenhouse Effect causes some of earths
re-radiated energy to remain close to the surface.
Image source: NASAs Earth Observatory
Energy in atmosphere (from incoming solar radiation
and earths re-radiation) is emitted back out to space.
Image source: NASAs Earth Observatory
Reflected solar radiation + outgoing heat radiation
= incoming solar radiation
A balance is maintained!
Natural Climate Forcings
Changes to the Balance
Changes in the
Suns brightness
Variations in Earths
orbit and tilt
Milankovitch cycles
and ice ages
Large volcanic
eruptions
Add particles to
atmosphere
Manmade Climate Forcings
Changes to the Balance
Particle pollution
Changes how radiation
reflected/absorbed
Changing surface of
earth (deforestation)
Changes how radiation
reflected/absorbed
Adding greenhouse
gases
Changes how heat is re-
radiated to space